Beet harvester



i Aug- 30, 1932- w. E..URscHE|.

BEET HARVESTER Filed' April 24,. 1929 es4 sheets-sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

ATTO NEY Aug. 3o, 1932.

w. E. URscHEL "BEET HARVESTER Filed April 24, 1929 ..6 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. K,

A TT ORNEY Aug. 3o, 192.2.l

w. E. uRsCHEL.

BEET HARVESTER Filed Apri1 24.' 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

A TTO NEY Aug.A 3o, 1932.

w. E. uRscHEL BEET HARVESTER Filed April 24. 1929 j 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN1/mon z n l i 2 1 Z BY A TT ORNEY w. E. URscHEL BEET HARVESTER Filed April 24.11929 GSheets-Sheet 5 INVENToR.

ATToRN Aug. 30, 1932. w. u RscHEL BEET HARVESTER Filed April 24, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN V EN TOR.

ATTO NEY Patented Auf. 3Q, 193'2 i UNITED ls'ra'ras PATENT ori-lcs l WILLIAE ErUB-SGHEL. F VALPAIT'AAISO, I NDIANA J i The present invention relates to a harvestfrom the following description of a. single ing machine, and more particularly to a beet embodiment of the present invention. harvester, although yits subject matter may be In the drawings: employed with equal advantage for many Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a other purposes. machine embodying features of the present 155 It contemplates especially a power driven invention; device adapted first, to gradually elevate a Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine soil. embedded crop to 'effect the removal shown in Figure 1;

thereof from the soil, next to sever the ap- Figure 3 is a transverse section of a puller le pendages from the cro and subsequently to frame such as is used in said machine; a elevate the crop to suc a height that it may Figure 4 is a plan view of said puller be discharged into a wagon or suitable frame; rece tacle. Figure 5 is a side elevation of a crop puller. arvesters of known constructions have Figurev 6 is a plan view of two associated not proven entirely satisfactory. Crops genpullers such as are shown in Figures 4 and 5; 65 erally are somewhat tenaciously heldin the p Figure 7 is a rear view of the rear arch soil, so that an abrupt pull thereon which support for the pullers showing a spreader heretofore Ahas been the conventional manner device therefor; of handling a crop usually results in a sever- Figure 8 is a longitudinal section of the rear ance of the appendages of the crop without arch support; v 7o the removal of the embedded portions thereof Figure 9 is a rear elevation of the front arch from the ground. support for the pullers;

Further, it is desirable to provide adjust- Figures 10, 11 and 12 are details, in perment lfor a harvesting instrumentality, to spective, of the puller chain; enable a variance in the position thereof so Figure 13 is a transverse section through 16 as to eiectively harvest a crop without injury the puller chain; to such crop as well as to grasp the harvested Figure 14 is a perspective view of the drive article at the proper point, this adj ustability sprocket for the puller chain; being highly desirable especially because Figure 15 is a transverse section of the no direction and magnitude of the growthof a device, partly in elevation, showing the transso crop and theease of its removal from the mission frame and drive; ground are variable factors. Figure 16 is a det-ail side elevation of the Included in the objects of the invention, puller drive;

among others, therefore, are the following: Figure 17 is a detail side elevation of the 3.5 An improved means for imparting a gradbull wheel driving mechanism; ual pull on a soil embedded crop to'eiiect its Figure 18 is arear elevation of the complete removaltherefrom. elevator system; i

An improved means for conjointly lifting Figure 19 is a transverse section of an eleand pushing a crop fromthe soil. vator;

w An improved means for conveying a crop y Figure 20 is a diagrammatic side elevation 90 along a predetermined path having theredisclosing the principle of the machine and along instrumentalities for severing the apthe relative position of the puller and plow; pendages therefrom. Figure 21 is a fragmentary top detail of A new and improved means for gauging the pullers and showing the positionvof plow the point at which the appendages upon a relative thereto; l .harvested article are to "be severed from the Figure 22 is a transverse section providing body of said article. a rear View detail of the gauging discs;

'lfhe provision of improved means for ele- Figure 23 is a transverse lsection of the vatlng a harvested crop. pullers and lifter taken on line 2--2 of Figure 50 Other objects and advantages will appear 20; 1

Figure 24 is a plan view of a cutter;

Figure 25 is a diametric section of a cutter; and

Figure 26 is a schematic section showing the action of a lifter when employed upon a crop that is unsupported by pullers or other holding means.

Like reference characters are used to designate similar parts in the drawings and in lthe description which follows.

For convenience, the machine may be divided into its several units, namely, frame, transmission mechanism, pullers and elevating mechanisms.

The main frame construction Reference should be had to Figures 1 and 2. A frame for the device may comprise two longitudinally. extending main frame members 1, secured together by a plurality of transverse frame members 2 and by a transmission frame 43. (See Figure 15.)

Two bull wheels 3, one on each side of and supporting the frame,I are rotatably mounted on stub axles 42 which are secured in said transmission frame 43. Ring gears 44 are securely fastened to each of the bull wheels 3 by bushings 41.

Mounted in the forward end of the harvester on transverse frame members 2 and 13 is a conventional form of internal combustion engine 12, which constitutes the prime mover supplying power to the harvester.

Also in the front of the machine is a guide wheel fork 8 which extends upwardly and is rotatably mounted in a. supporting bracket 9, the latter being secured to the frame of the harvester. In said fork, is a guiding or front wheel 5. A steering wheel 15, through suitable gearing, controls the angular position 'of the guiding or front wheel 5 from an operators seat 14, which latter is secured to said transmission frame or bracket 43.

Said steering wheel 15 is secured to a rod 10 having as a part thereof a worm 6. Said Worm 6 actuates a worm gear 7 secured to the front wheel fork 8.. The position of wheel 15 therefore determines the direction of the movement of the apparatus.

v The transmission Extending rearwardly from the engine 12 to a bearing bracket 46, which is mounted on said transmission frame 43, is a clutch shaft 59. A pinion 50 is secured to shaft 59 and this drives a bevel gear 49, which is secured to a transverse shaft 58,. Suitable bearings` are provided for said shaft 58 in said transmission frame 43.

A pinion 54, securely mounted on said shaft 58 drives ring gear 55, said gear being mounted upon a conventional form of dilferential designated 56. A shaft 32 extendingfrom the differential 56 is journaled in said transmission frame 43. Pinions 45 Sellled t9' shaft 32 drive rin gears 44 whichiare se- 37 lis driven by chain 39. A slipclutch 36 of any suitable type may bemounted on said shaft 37 to prevent damage to the mechanism in case any foreignl object V`should become wedged in the elevators.VF Similar slip clutches, while notsshown in the drawings; may be mounted in such places where the mechanism may be damaged by clogging in the presence of foreign objects.

The clutch mechanism of the engine 12 may be controlled from the o erators Lseat by s a conventional clutch contro ing pedal 36.

The pullers Mounted on the left s ide of thev machine are two oppositely disposed puller frames 60. .(See Figure 2.) The puller frames are held in spaced relation at the forward end by an arch bracket 77. The rear end of the puller frames 60 is supported by asecond arch bracket 81 which provides bearings for two vertical shafts 86 and the driving members therefor. (See Figures 5, 6 et seq.)

Said pullers 60 are supported on the transmission` bracket 43 by bearing bracket 46. A clevis 85 is free to turn in said bearing bracket 46, permitting the forward end of the pullers 60 to be raised or lowered.`

Said clevis 85 provides a bearing for a shaft which is secured in a gear 52. Shafts 86 are driven from shafts 90 by bevel gears 87 and 88. Drive sprockets 65, which drive a rubber tired puller chain 73, are secured to said shafts 86.- y

The clevis 85 is hinged to the rear arch bracket by pins 84 which tpermit the front end of the pullers 60 to e ided transversely lin, keeping with irregu arities in the crop row and an inability tol drive thedevice with sufficient accuracy to provide exact registration at all times with a crop row.

To permit the pullers 60 to be moved transversely, a flexible joint 91 is mounted on shaft 90 at the point where the arch bracket 81 and the clevis 85 are hinged.

The stalk puller chain which comprises the rubber chain 73 includes main links 101, each having a projecting tooth 102 hinged to side plates 103 by rivets 104. Rivets 104 may turn inthe main links 101 but are securely fastened in said side plates 103. y

Mllnted in the puller chain is the endless band 73 of yielding material such as soft rubber. Rivets 104 have an inwardly rojecting. head 105 (see figure 13) which fits into the opposed longitudinal side grooves 1n the endless band 73 and which retains said rubber chain in the channel of the puller chain links. n

The forward end of said puller frames 1s 4provided with idler wheels 66. The puller chain 73 is pressed outwardly by a plurality of spring pressed idler rollers 67 whlch are rotatably journalled on plvoted' arms 68.

Said plvoted arms 68"-are pressed outwardly by compression springs 72 mounted on rods 70, one end of which rod is mounted reciprocally adjacent the free end ofthe pivoted arms 68, the other end of which 1s secured in the puller frame. Sprin 72 exert a resilient tension to force the i ler rollers 67 outwardly to provide sufficient tension to cause the arcuate carrier to grip and hold the exposed portions of the crops 1n a 'firm manner While being pulled from the ground.

The tension of the compression sprmgs 72 maybe adjusted by the take-up nuts 71,4onel of which is supplied with each rod 70.

The under section of each puller is covered by a bottom plate 74 (see Figure 3) which plate is secured by bolts v69 passing through spindles 75 on which the arms 68 are mounted. The front end of the bottom plate 74 terminates in an attached guide plate 76 which serves to guide the puller over the ground at a predetermined height (see Figure 5 Thi. forward ends of the pullers 60 include atapered portion 64 which serves to guide the exposed portion of the erop upwardly over the pullers 60 and between the resihent impinging crop pulling members 73. Pointed rods 61, reciprocally mounted in and projecting forwardly beyond the puller frames 60, are positioned to move in proximity to the ground to raise any part of the exposed portion of the crop which may be prostrate on the ground.

Compression springs 62 mounted between rods 61 and pullers 60 exert a resilient ten sion to force the rods 61 outwardly. In ease the rods strike an obstruction, said rods 61 are forced back into the puller frames 60, thus permitting the rounded ends of the puller frames 60 to slide over the obstruction.

By employing a pair of oppositely disposed puller frames 60 urged together by compression springs 83, (see figures 7 and 9) the puller frames 60 may be made to separate. Levers 79 mounted on each of the arch brackets by means of bolts 93 are joined by tubular wedged betwen the stalk puller frames 60, the tension of the springs 83 may be relieved. Thisis accomplished by raising the tubular member 80 which in `turn lowers the horizontal plane where spring rods 82 are disposed by moving levers 79 and drawing apart the puller frames 60. To permit the puller frames to move in relation to each other, a iexible joint 89 is mounted on shaft 90 at the point where the arch brackets are hinged.

The puller is supported at the front end by a'bell crank 107 (seekl'igure 1) which crank is secured toan extended pivot pin 78 by a. connecting rod 106. Connecting rod 106 is fastened to bell crank 107 by a pin 115 and to a pivot pin 78 by a ball and socket joint. Bell crank 107 is secured in -a clevis 119 by a pin 118 of such construction that it will allow transverse movement of the puller when it is guided along a row of crops.

Clevis 119 is securely fastened to a'shaft '108 fwhich is rotatably mounted in brackets 120 and 121 secured to the transverse frame member 13. lArm 110 which is secured to a hand lever 112, is mounted onshaft 108 so that said shaft 108 is free to turn in arm 110. Arm 109 is securely fastened to shaft 108.

Spring rod 113 is mounted in arm'110 and passes through arm 109 its lower end being secured to a bracket (not shown)V anchored to the arch bracket 77. A` spring 114 mounted on rod 113 exerts a resilient tension on arm 109 which aids the puller to slide over obstructions land uneven ground. By the hand lever 112 the height ofthe pullers 60 may be adjusted by the machine o erator from his seat thereon. To. the brac et 121 is attached a quadrant shaped piece 111 having notches therein for holding the lever 112 in a selected position against the urge of the spring 114 and the weight of the pullers 60 when the latter are lifted from the ground.

The pullers 60 may be vmoved transversely to guide them to register with the row of the crop by foot levers 123 and 124 which are4 pivoted on a bracket 121 by pins 126. Foot rests 122 are mounted onsaid foot levers 123 and 124 by studs 125 secured in said foot levers 123 and 124. Foot lever 123 is joined to bell crank 107 by rod 117. By using two foot levers, the foot rests 122 are at all times in a transverse position with respect to the machine. The exposed vportions of the crops are sheared or otherwise severed from the body thereof in the machine. In this instance, they are removed by meansJ of a pair of oppositely disposed circular cutters 92 fixed to shafts 86 which impart opposed rotation thereto, the cutters 92 being disposed directly in the path of the crops defined by the puller mechanism. To assist in carrying the body of the crop past the cutters 92, notches 200 (see Figures 24 and 25) are cut in the bevel fao of tile cutter.V Said notches 200 tend to pull the crop between the cutters.

Due to the irregularities 1n size of the crop andthe nature ofthe soil, a cro grows at various depths in the ground. he cutters 92 are adjusted to sever the exposed portion of the crop which grows at the greatest depth at a desired point.

Two circular'. oppositely disposed dished gauginv discs are positioned below the puller rames in such a manner that the eX- posed portion of the crop is carrled between the gauging discs 100. Because of the slope ofthe orauging discs 100 relative to the pullers, and crop which is grasped by the puller at a point where` it will not pass under the cutters 92 will be pulled downwardly, thus permitting the eXposed.- ortions of the crop to be severed above Athe ody of the crop.

Each of said gauging discs 100 is secured yto a shaft 99 for which suitable bearin sare.

provided in a bracket 95, which brac et is mounted onthe arch member 81.A s

Bevel gear 98 which is secured to shaft 99 is driven by bevel gear 97@y Said bevel gear 97 is secured attached vto a shaft 96 which is journaled in said bracket 95. A bevel gear 94 secured to shaft 96 is `rotated by a bevel gear 87. Y

A lifter 127 is mounted under the puller to assist it in raising a crop. The lifter is adapted to run into the ground under the body of the root crop. The lifter or ground breakin mechanism 127 is pivoted on studs 129 set 1n brackets 128 which are secured to the main frame members 1. A spring rod 131, one end of which is reci rocally mounted in bracket 139 secured to t e arch sha ed portion 130'of the' lifter 127, is secured) in arm 133. Spring 132 mounted on spring rod 131 exerts a resilient tension on the arch shaped portion of the lifter and forces the free end of the lifter 127 into the ground. In case the lifter strikes an obstruction, such as a.

stone, the spring 132 allows the lifterto -be raised over the obstructiomthus preventing damage to the machine.

Arm 133 is secured to a shaft 134 which has suitable bearings in brackets mounted on frame member 136 andvupright memberv 17. Shaft 134 is secured in hand lever 135 which the operator may control the height of the lifter from his seat.

To discharge the severed exposed portions Vof the crop, a rotating disc 201 which is mounted under the cutters 92 carries the tops of the crop to the left -side of the machine where they fall upon the ground. (See Figure 2.) A bracket 140 is secured to the rtransverse frame member 21 and a brace 147'. Gear 144 mounted on shaft 37 drives gear 143 which is secured to shaft 142. Gear 146 secured to shaft 142 drives gear 145 which is puller frame 60 and the rear exea to Shania. l Disc 201 ispecured to' shaft 141.

The elevators The elevatorsY of the-machine see Figure l shaft 152 which runs in bearings 159. At

the other end of the elevators 1s mounted a drive shaft 151 to which the drive sprockets are secured. The T shaped members 157 are spaced apart to permit the soil shaken from the crop to be separated from the crop.

Elevator 148 is, ositioned under the cutters 92 to receive t e crops which fall from the pullers after being severed from the to Elevator 148 is supported at the front bey brackets 160 which are secured to the main.

frame members 1. The rear end of the ele? vator 148 is supported by brackets 161 which are secured to frame members 162 on each side of the elevator.

Gear 167 secured to shaft 37` drives gear 168 which is v fixed to shaft 165. Bracket 166 mounted on transverse frame member'21 provides suitable bearings for said shafts 37 and 165. Gear 163 secured to shaft 165 drives gear 164 which is secured to the elevator drive shaft 151.

A second elevator 169 is disposed to .receive .the crops discharged from elevator 148. vElevator 169 is vsupported at the left end by the Atransverse frame member 2 and'- at the rightend by a bracket 174 whichl is mounted on. s

an uprightl member 175. Elevatorv drive shaft 170, which is journaled in brackets 174 and 171, is driven by a gear 173. Gear 173 l is driven bv vsaid shaft 37.

shaker 178 which is perforate and which is driven in a reciprocatmg manner b a crank 182 also secured to said shaft 37. bearin 181 is mounted on the crank pin of the crank 182. The rear end of the shaker is supported upon a rod 177 which is secured 1n the bracket 174 and brace 176. Arm 180 is ro. tatably mounted on Irod 177. Bracket 179, secured to the shaker 17 8, is pivoted to arm by a pin 202.

The shaker 178 discharges the crops in a third elevator 194 which is supported on the right end by brackets 203. The left end is a gear 172 which is secured to secured at its bottom to member 186 and at the top to a 'cross piece 195 which joins the two uprights together. Elevator 194 is firmly secured to the upright members 186 and 185 by brackets 196. g

A gear 190 secured to said shaft 37 drives ear 189 which rotates on a stud fixed in the aring bracket 191. A s rocket 18S-secured to the gear 189 drives c ain 192 which 1n turn drives sprocket 193. Said sprocket 193 is securely fastened to elevator drive shaft 183.

General remarks With the arrangement of parts above described, it will be apparent that a machine has been provided having pullin instrumentalities 73 thereon which are a apted to grasp the exposed appendages of the soil embedded crops to gradually elevate them along a predetermined path to effect removal thereof from the soil and to sever the appendages therefrom.

The mouth of the ulling means, in this instance defined by t e cooperating puller units, is guided in a line coinciding with the linear path along which crops usually are positioned so that the contacting faces of the flexible puller chains 73 will yieldabl grasp the exposed portions of the crop an carry them along an arcuate path having a gradual incline to slowly ull the cro from the soil.

The crops are rst engage by the pulling members on line A-A (see Figure 20). As

the crop is carried rearwardly, the lifter 127 which cooperates with the pullers 73,1oosens the ground about the crop and pushes or lifts the crop from the ground. Likelihood of injury to the crop is very slight in this process of resiliently gripping the plant upon opposite sides of it exposed growth. and substantially concurrently breaking the-ground about its roots.

The position of the lifter 127 in respect to the pullers is of vital importance. Experience has shown that if the lifter is positioned ahead of the point where the crop is engaged by the pullers,the crop is often pushed aside by the lifter before it is grasped by the pullers. This is schematically illustrated in Figure 26.

Experience has also shownthat the liftershould be positioned as shown in Figure 20. The exposed portion of the crop, if first grasped by the pulling members, must be gripped by members having insuiiicient tension to separate the exposed appendage from the body of the crop. As the pullers begin -to raise the crop, they grasp the crop more firmly and the lifter, exerting an upward pressure against the crop from beneath, aids the pullers in raising lthe crop from the ground.

The crops are carriedto the topping instrumentalities. Before reaching these, the

' will effect the discharge of the articles into the box of a wagon moving along the side of the harvester or any appropriate container.

Any loose dirt which is shaking from the crop drops through the slots in the elevators to the ground and is thus-separated from the crop. The foliage is cast to one side.

This application'is a continuation in part of an application, vSerial N o. 102,113,'filed April 15, 1926, and entitled Bean harvester,

such application also having beenfiled in the name of the applicant, William E. Urschel.

Said application has since the filing of this application become patent numbered 1,727,- 020, dated September 3, 1929.

Reference should also be had to the applicants Patent, No. 1,775,419, of September 9, 1930, and to his co-pending application for Letters Patent, Serial N o. 270,234, filed September 16, 1928.

I claim:

1. In a harvester, resilient impinging crop pulling members a adapted to compressibly grip the crop from the sides thereof and to lift it from the ground, and a ground breaking means operative under said crop.

2. A beet harvester comprising means for elevating beet plants in an arcuate path and providing a pulling mechanism therefor, and a plant lifting member elevating said Abeet plants by engaging the ground directly therebeneath.

3. A beet harvester comprising plant grapping means for elevating beet plants and a ground breaking mechanism operabley upon the soil directly beneath said plants after their engagements with said elevating means.

exposed growth, and substantially lconcurrently breaking the roots.

5. A process of harvesting entire plants characterized by the steps of resiliently grasping opposite sides of the exposed portion of the plant, substantially concurrently loosening the ground immediately beneath the roots thereof, and elevating the plant from the broken soil.

ground directly about its 6. A process of harvesting beets characterized by the following steps in the order named, gripping'the beet plants from op1 posite sides thereof, maintaining the plants 1n an upright position, lifting the soil directly beneath and elevating the-beets out of ground after the soil is broken. 7;. Abeetharvester comprising a unitary means for resiliently gripping beet 'plants at opposite sides ,thereo and conveying such p ants, and means suspended direct y beneath the fore part of the conveyor for breaking the ound beneath the beet plants.

8.r A t harvester -comprising opposed i conveyin means of,eompres sib1e material 1n ets b their to s and at their opsigdes, an a soil-b1liaaking means lfor oosenin the soil about the beets positioned intermecate and beneath said conveying means.

9. A beet harvester comprising conveying means for the beet plants, said conveying means having resiliently gpping faces for enasging the to s of the di in the pat of plants in said conveyor means for shlfting the position of said plants in said conveyin means, and means in .asso- .th path 9i tra' ma ma pe t plants, paired 'www' 'vrable afterthe crop -has been positions andl conveying means for the severed'beets.

14. Means for harvesting soil embodiedv crops comprisln a carrier gripping the tops of the crops an having a portion adjacent to and substantially parallel with the ound, and a soil lifter therebeneath adapte to elevate the crop and break the soil thereabout coincident with the enga ement of the carrier with the tops'of sai crops. A

`15. In combination, an arcuate carrier for grasping the tops of crops and having a front portlon. substantially arallel to the round, and a soil elevatin p ow having vits orw'ard point slightlyto t e rear of thelforward lend of saidcarrier.

WI'L'LIAM E. UsscHELf ciation with sai conve 'ng means for severing said beets from sai tops.4

10. A beet harvester comprising a .means y,

' ment upwardly and in vertical alignment I ling with said with the pointed end of said ground breaking member and adapted to first grip the crop,

, second tol hold it, and third in conjunction with said ground breaking member, to lift such crop from the soil.

12. In a beet harvester, a ground breaker having a point adapted to operate beneath the crop, gripping and pulling means to grasp the tops of the plant and then coactround lifting means to lift the crop from t e soil, a cutting means, and gauging means comprisin rotatin disks having angularly dispose axes an in the path of the crop when in said gripping vmeans to positionthe crop for contact wit said cutting means.

13. In a beet harvester, a ground lifter havin a pointed end and body, the body being a apted to travel in a ath directly beneath a crop, gripping an vulling means adapted first to then coasting with said lifter to gra ually pull the crop from the broken soil, disks at asp the top of a cro and vsus the opposite sides of said gripping means and by which the plants in said gripping and pulling means are positioned, cutting means to sever the top from the crop disposed in 

